NEXT Weather: Lee expected to become dangerous Cat. 4 storm by Friday

MIAMI – The CBS News Miami NEXT Weather team is tracking Hurricane Lee which is in the Central Atlantic.

With the 5 p.m. Wednesday advisory, Lee became a hurricane and was expected to strengthen into a dangerous major Category 4 hurricane by Friday because the wind shear will lessen and it will be over very warm water.

At 11 p.m. Wednesday, the center of Lee was about 1,035 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands.

It was moving west-northwest at 14 mph with sustained winds of 80 mph.

Although Lee is forecast to possibly stay north or be near the northern Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend, there is still some uncertainty regarding exactly where the center will track during this time frame. Lee is expected to likely bring some impacts to the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico this weekend.

According to CBS News Miami Chief Meteorologist and Hurricane Specialist Ivan Cabrera Lee is forecast to turn to the north and away from the US coast.

Cabrera said there are no global computer models that show Lee as a threat to the US. The only uncertainty is when it will take a turn to the north.